Health Assessment Lecture Review (Chapters 15–19)

Practice flashcards covering anatomy, assessment techniques, cranial nerves, and common disorders of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, throat, breasts, and thorax/lungs as discussed in Chapters 15–19.

Conjunctiva

Protective covering of the eye.

Cornea

Covers the iris and pupil and refracts light.

Sclera

The outer coat of the eye.

Retina

The inner nervous layer of the eye.

Macula

The area surrounding the fovea centralis, which is the area of sharpest vision.

$CN\,VI$ (Abducens)

Cranial nerve that controls the lateral rectus muscle and abducts the eye.

Corneal Blink Reflex

A reflex where $CN\,V$ carries afferent sensation and $CN\,VII$ produces the blink.

PERRLA

An acronym for Pupils Equal, Round, React to Light, and Accommodation.

Accommodation

The near focusing response where pupils constrict and eyes converge for a near target.

Snellen Chart

A tool used to measure visual acuity at a distance of $20\,ft$. Each eye is tested separately.

Confrontation Test

A visual field test that compares the patient's peripheral vision with that of the examiner.

Presbyopia

A condition where the lens loses elasticity and near accommodation decreases, typically occurring around age $40-45$.

Cataract

Opacity of the lens.

Glaucoma

Increased intraocular pressure leading to optic nerve damage and loss of peripheral vision.

Age-related Macular Degeneration

A condition resulting in the loss of central vision.

Arcus Senilis

A normal aging finding in the eye.

Tympanic Membrane

Structure that separates the external and middle ear; normally translucent and pearly gray.

Eustachian Tube

Structure in the middle ear that equalizes pressure; it is shorter, wider, and more horizontal in infants.

Organ of Corti

Contains hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical impulses.

Conductive Hearing Loss

A mechanical transmission problem in the external or middle ear caused by factors like cerumen or perforated TM.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss caused by neural or sensory pathology in the inner ear, $CN\,VIII$, or auditory cortex.

Presbycusis

Gradual sensorineural hearing loss associated with aging, often noticed for high-frequency sounds first.

Pinna Traction (Adult)

Pulling the pinna up and back during an otoscopic exam.

Pinna Traction (Infant/Child < $3$ yr)

Pulling the pinna down during an otoscopic exam.

Kiesselbach Plexus

A site in the anterior nasal septum that is common for epistaxis.

Turbinates

Bony projections from the lateral walls of the nasal cavity.

$CN\,I$ (Olfactory)

Cranial nerve responsible for carrying smell sensation.

Frenulum

The structure that anchors the ventral tongue.

$CN\,IX$ and $X$

Cranial nerves assessed by eliciting the gag reflex.

$CN\,XII$ (Hypoglossal)

Cranial nerve that controls tongue movement and protrusion.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing; a potential red flag that food stops at a specific point.

Tail of Spence

A superior-lateral extension of breast tissue toward the axilla.

Cooper Ligaments

Fibrous tissue providing structural support to the breasts.

Vertical Strip Pattern

The recommended systematic pattern for detecting breast masses during palpation.

Tanner Staging

A system used to describe the five stages of breast development during puberty.

Gynecomastia

Breast development in males; can be temporary in adolescents or associated with testosterone deficiency in aging males.

Angle of Louis (Sternal Angle)

The landmark that aligns with the $2nd$ rib to help count interspaces.

Acinus/Alveoli

The site in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Hypercapnia

Rising $CO_2$ levels, which is the major stimulus to breathe for most people.

IPPA

The standard respiratory examination sequence: Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation.

Tactile Fremitus

A palpation technique where the patient repeats "$99$" to assess vibrations.

Resonance

The predominant sound percussion produces over healthy adult lung tissue.

Stridor

A priority adventitious respiratory sound signaling upper-airway narrowing.

Vesicular Breath Sounds

Soft, low-pitched sounds heard over peripheral lung fields where inspiration is longer than expiration.